RAID storage solution

[Xploit]

Hi everyone

Just need some assistance with a storage solution. What Im thinking of doing is either to go the same route like Tom and buy a RAID controller which i can install in my home server already OR get an external NAS box.

I'm thinking an ideal goal amount of 20Tb in total under RAID 5. I would essentially get 3x4Tb now and then install another 2 or 3 down the line.

RAID card I'm looking at: Adaptec 6405 2270000-R 6Gb/s SATA/SAS 4 internal ports w/512MB cache memory
Not too sure what the best drives for it would be (any assistance welcome)
Is it also worth getting that the flash module for safety or is it not a biggy without it??

OR

Possible NAS device: Synology DS1513+

My dilemma is:
- RAID card + drives cheaper then NAS and can expand if I choose.
- NAS easier to buy and throw drives in, everything setup and just a case of connecting.
-Can the RAID card change dynamically like a NAS device when other hdds are added and just read the +-20Tb?
- Will the NAS be fast enough over network for transcoding of PLEX (located on home server)

Any help or recommendations would be great. I do like the idea of the RAID card but just not sure if thats the right setup etc.

Cheers guys!

 

[tinytomlogan]

Main thing is speed and budget

if you need speed and have a huge budget then get a dedicated server

NAS's youll need a few of and wont be as quick.

I just remote into my server and use it for many things. Decent raid cards are not cheap though.

 

[Xploit]

That kinda makes my mind up. I basically have a server in place already but need to expand the storage inside, so was going to go for a proper dedicated RAID card and get a few 4Tb. Currently installed is WHS2011, but will change it to server 2012.

Will that 6405 be sufficient and more then enough (always like to future proof)? Regarding the RAID Tom, will I be able to start with the 3x4Tb and then buy the extra drives when I have the cash and it will automatically become 1 big RAID 5 config without losing data?

Thanks again

 

[tinytomlogan]

If youre going to end up wanting 20TB then you really need to think about having 2 lots of raid 5's or a raid 6 tbh.

You can expand it but it takes an age to build the array so adding drives in will be an overnight job probably. Ive never done it but it can be done.

Ive got 8x 2TB in mine in a raid 6 (2 drives parity) for 9.2TB usable

 

[MrKambo]

Im running the same setup as Tom, but i wouldn't recommend 4TB drives, mainly due to cost and rebuild time if the array ever went down, ive read people's setup's taking about a week to rebuild with 4TB on a RAID 6 after a drive failure, and during this time the array is unusable!

What you say is you want to add to the array as and when you can, the rebuild time for the array once data is on the drives will be huge! Me for one cannot have any down time let alone days at a time!

 

[Xploit]

Thanks for your feedback!!

So should I rather look into 3Tb drives or what do you recommend for that setup? In my mind at the current point in time and for cost reasons I'd get 3 or 4 drives if its 3Tb, build the array so it would be say +-9Tb which will full up over time then down the line say end of the year get another 2 drives or so to extend total 9Tb to read what +-14/15Tb. I see Tom recommends RAID 6 is that because its 5 or so + drives for 'safety' incase drives fail?

Thanks again for help.

 

[tinytomlogan]

Id just start a separate array matey, get one up and running then just add another.

It will just look like another single hard drive on your rig / network

 

[Xploit]

OK that sounds simple enough, and less complicated!

If I make it 4x3Tb + 4x3Tb (later date) should I use a RAID 5 for both or you recommend 6?

Cheers Tom - legend!

 

[MrKambo]

I suggest, 5x2TB in RAID 6, write speeds are slightly better than RAID 5

 

[Xploit]

Thanks for your advice Tom & MrKambo, really appreciate it. Just to clarify that card that I specified is that fine for what I need? Is it worth getting the backup module as well. Also without creating a brand war, which drives would you recommend as there seems to be quite a lot from both Seagate and WD, without having to buy the big boy enterprise drives?

Cheers again

 

[MrKambo]

Yeah that card will be fine, and when it comes to NAS/File Server drives, Western Digital Reds's i use them and they are awesome! Designed to run 24/7

 

[tinytomlogan]

I use WD greens in my server because they stay cool and are quiet

 

[Xploit]

Thanks so much guys for the help, definitely helped make my mind up! Those red drives, is there a problem if its more than 5 drives? I tried to have a little look around but not sure if its more a recommended use of up to 5, or do I need to maybe look at the SE?